The Michigan Chamber of Commerce, EPIC-MRA and Michigan Information and Research Service, Inc. (MIRS) are co- sponsoring a two-session Michigan Redistricting Academy entitled "Mapping Michigan's Future for the Next Decade."

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000320/DEM039 )

The two luncheon programs (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) will take place at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce in Lansing on September 12 and 19, 2000.

The Redistricting Academy will preview possible new State House, State Senate and Congressional districts which were recently drawn for this Academy to the guidelines found in 1996 P.A. 463 and 1999 P.A. 221.

Ed Sarpolus of EPIC-MRA has worked on the National Redistricting and Census Committee since 1986, and worked on Michigan redistricting in 1980 and 1990. Sarpolus has drawn these maps using Caliper Corporation's Maptitude for Redistricting and Trans CAD Auto District Software using 2000 population estimates, also by Caliper.

Other topics in the Academy's program include a 2000 Census Overview, Cram Course on the Law of Redistricting and a Short Course on the History of Redistricting in Michigan.

Eric Doster, attorney with the Lansing law firm of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C., Robert S. LaBrant, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs and General Counsel at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and Ed Sarpolus, Vice President, EPIC-MRA, will serve as the Redistricting Academy's faculty.

Cost for the two-session academy is $120. To register for the Academy contact the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, 517-371-2100 Ext. 783.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 7,000 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.

SOURCE: Michigan Chamber of Commerce

Contact: Bob LaBrant of Michigan Chamber of Commerce, 517-371-7653

Website: http://www.michamber.com/